A Guelphic Medal pair awarded to Corporal William Decke, 1st Hussars, King’s German Legion

Guelphic Medal for Bravery 1815 (Wilhelm Decke) fitted with contemporary replacement silver suspension in the form of an entwined serpent, this detached and in need of minor repair; Waterloo 1815 (Corp. William Decke, 1st Reg. Hussars K.G.L.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, this with some contact pitting to the obverse, otherwise the pair good very fine and rare (2) £2500-3000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, An Important Collection of Medals to The King's German Legion, the Property of a Gentleman.

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Awarded the Guelphic Medal in the 1819 List:

“On the 1st of October 1810, the squadron to which Decke belonged, was on picquet near Coimbra, and was attacked many times by the French, at a defile, which the squadron had to pass, and in order to clear which, the hussars were obliged frequently to charge superior numbers of the enemy’s cavalry. Decke distinguished himself on this occasion by great bravery and presence of mind. In one charge he and three other hussars were entirely cut off. He did not therefore give himself up for lost, but, together with two of his comrades, boldly cut his way through; one of the hussars was killed, and Decke and the two others were both wounded” (Ref Beamish p506).

Also entitled to the M.G.S. medal, 5 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Salamanca.